Sunderland loss, Barcelona links and first PL goal: How 14 Newcastle players that left this summer are doing

The summer transfer window proved to be a real challenge for Newcastle United as they looked to boost Eddie Howe’s ranks.

A prolonged and ultimately unsuccessful effort to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi dominated the headlines throughout the close season and it would be safe to say the Magpies left their squad undercooked as the new season kicked off. New faces did arrive in the form of Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, Sheffield United forward William Osula, young defender Miodrag Pivas and goalkeeping duo Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy. There was also a permanent deal for Lewis Hall after the Chelsea youngster spent time on loan at St James Park.

But the Magpies battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations ensured some big decisions had to be made - and two promising talents were eventually sold to help United avoid a stern punishment. They weren’t the only departures from St James Park - but how have those players that left the club during the summer fared so far this season?

Jamal Lewis - Loan to Sao Paolo

The Northern Ireland international has struggled to find form and fitness over the last two seasons and was largely expected to make a permanent move away from Newcastle during the summer. However, the left-back made a shock loan move to Brazilian side Sao Paolo and that is likely to bring an end to his time as a Magpie as his contract comes to an end next summer. Lewis has made three appearances for his new club and made his first start in a 2-0 defeat against Cuiaba.

Miodrag Pivas - Loan to Willem II

The Serbian youth international joined the Magpies during the summer but was immediately sent out on a season-long loan to Dutch side Willem II. A wait for the relevant paperwork to be processed held up his debut but Pivas finally made his Eredivisie bow as a late substitute in a 2-0 defeat against PSV Eindhoven.

Ryan Fraser - Released

Although Fraser has joined Southampton, his departure from Newcastle actually came after he was released by the Magpies. The former Aberdeen winger spent last season on loan with the Saints as they secured a return to the Premier League and has made four appearances in the Premier League and Carabao Cup as his new side have made a poor start to the new season.

Joe White - Loan to MK Dons

The talented midfielder linked up with former Magpies defender Mike Williamson at MK Dons - although his time working under Williamson was short-lived after he left to take charge at League Two rivals Carlisle United. However, White has made progress at Milton Keynes, making six appearances in all competitions and scoring in his last two games against Harrogate Town and Tranmere Rovers.

Harrison Ashby - Loan to QPR

The former West Ham United full-back is yet to make a competitive senior appearance for Newcastle - but did earn second loan into the Championship after spending time with Swansea City last season. Ashby joined Queens Park Rangers on a season-loan in August and has made three appearances so far this season.

Matt Ritchie - Released

A long-standing member of the Magpies squad, Ritchie was released when his contract came to an end earlier this summer. After being linked with several Championship clubs, the former Scotland international returned to the place where his career was kickstarted by joining Portsmouth. The veteran winger has made seven appearances in all competitions - although just one came as part of John Mousinho’s starting eleven.

Paul Dummett - Released

Dummett made an emotional departure from his boyhood club when his contract came to an end this summer. Since then, he has been linked with the likes of Portsmouth and Sheffield United - but as it stands, the versatile defender is still a free agent.

Loris Karius - Released

The former Liverpool goalkeeper was released by the Magpies during the summer after making two senior appearances. Despite being linked with several clubs including La Liga giants Barcelona, Karius remains a free agent.

Amadou Diallo - Released

The young winger made the briefest of cameos in a 4-1 win against Chelsea last season and that represented the sum total of his on-field experience at a senior level. Diallo made a shock move to fallen French giants Bordeaux last month and got his first assist on his league debut as he set up former Magpies star Andy Carroll for one of his two goals in a 2-1 win against Saumur on Saturday.

Michael Ndiweni - Released

Academy product Ndiweni joined Diallo on the pitch with a late cameo in that win over Chelsea but, as with the winger, that was his only senior experience with his boyhood club. After training with local non-league clubs Gateshead, Blyth Spartans and Hebburn Town, Ndiweni has joined Northern Premier League East club Ashington and has made ten appearances for the Colliers, scoring his first goal for the club in a 4-1 win in a Northumberland Senior Cup tie at North Shields.

Jeff Hendrick - Released

The Republic of Ireland international was released by Newcastle this summer after spending time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and Queens Park Rangers in recent seasons. As yet, Hendrick has not found a new club.

Kelland Watts - Released

Another Magpies academy product that was released after making a fleeting appearance at senior level, Watts has spent time on loan at Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle in recent seasons. However, he secured a deal at Cambridge United following his release from Newcastle and has made just one appearance for the League One club so far this season.

Yankuba Minteh - Sold to Brighton and Hove Albion

It would be safe to say selling Minteh was not seriously under consideration at the start of the summer as the Magpies considered sending the Gambian youngster out on loan following a successful spell with Feyenoord. However, the ongoing battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations meant the winger was sold to help United avoid a punishment. Since moving to Brighton, Minteh has impressed with his pace and trickery and bagged his first Premier League goal in Sunday’s dramatic win against Spurs in what was his eighth appearance for the Seagulls.

Elliot Anderson - Sold to Nottingham Forest

As with Minteh, the sale of Anderson hurt Newcastle but became more and more necessary as the deadline to meet the PSR regulations drew ever closer. Nobody within the Magpies setup will have been surprised to see Anderson settle into life at the City Ground with great effect. He picked up his first Premier League assist in a 1-1 draw against Wolves earlier in the season and has made eight appearances in all competitions for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.